American Airlines flights delayed in Atlanta
A temporary shutdown by American Airlines led to some delayed flights this morning at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
ATLANTA – American Airlines flights are back in the air after a nationwide ground stop caused by a technical issue disrupted travel plans on one of the busiest travel days of the year. The glitch, which occurred Christmas Eve morning, grounded all of the airline’s flights for about an hour, affecting millions of passengers traveling for the holidays.
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The computer issue, described as a technical malfunction, occurred during what the Transportation Security Administration has called a record-breaking holiday travel season. TSA expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Despite the swift resolution of the glitch, delays persisted throughout the morning, particularly at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a major hub for holiday travel.
According to flight tracking service FlightAware, nearly half of American Airlines’ flights into and out of Atlanta experienced delays. Passengers, understandably anxious, described moments of concern. One traveler recounted how she learned about the glitch while en route to the airport and was relieved to find her flight still on schedule.
Residual delays continue to impact American Airlines’ operations, with 11 delays reported in Atlanta alone as crews and planes are repositioned. Airport-wide, more than 100 flights across all airlines faced delays, with only two cancelations reported.
This incident comes two years after Southwest Airlines experienced a significant December meltdown, stranding over 2 million travelers, and just months after Delta Airlines faced disruptions due to a software issue. Fortunately, today’s glitch did not lead to long-term complications.
As travelers rush to reach their destinations for the holidays, operations at Hartsfield-Jackson appear to be stabilizing. Passengers are urged to monitor flight updates and allow extra time for their journeys.